To the respected 2.2 million residents of Chungcheongnam-do, and the distinguished guests gathered here today!

Today, I stand before you as the 40th Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, ready to usher in a new wave of change and a bold future for our province.
First and foremost, I bow my head in deep gratitude to you, the residents, for believing in me and entrusting me with the future of Chungnam.
I will never forget your passionate support and your earnest desire for change, and I will undertake my duties in the provincial administration with a profound sense of responsibility.

Honorable residents of Chungnam!

Before taking the first steps of the 9th popularly elected provincial administration, I reflect upon the past eight administrations.
In the 1970s and 80s, Chungnam experienced the sorrow of being marginalized from the wave of industrialization.
Therefore, the popularly elected provincial administration that began in 1995 was an arduous struggle, built on blood and sweat, to develop our region.

Since then, the trajectory of our provincial administration has evolved into Governor Yang Seung-jo’s ‘Welfare Chungnam,’ aimed at improving the residents' quality of life, and Governor Kim Tae-heum’s ‘Strong Chungnam,’ which attracted significant government and corporate investment to our region.
The efforts of my predecessors and your support for the provincial administration have transformed today’s Chungnam into a core base of Korean industry, defined by high manufacturing productivity and export volumes.
The history of these past administrations, having responded to the demands of their times, is worthy of our utmost respect, and I firmly state that I, too, will inherit their legacy.

Honorable residents of Chungnam!

With a history spanning over 30 years, the popularly elected Chungnam provincial administration now faces the challenges of a new era.
The world is currently undergoing a massive civilizational transition centered on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how we respond to this sweeping change will determine the next 100 years of Chungnam's future.

The 9th popularly elected Chungnam administration will not merely chase after change; we will become the ‘Leader in the Era of the Great AI Transformation,’ leading not just Korea, but the world.
We will robustly support industrial growth through technological innovation while ushering in a compassionate, AI-based society where no one is left behind.

Therefore, I promise 'three principles of balance' as the core values that will drive Chungnam's great AI transformation.

First, we will ensure that the benefits of process innovation utilizing AI are distributed evenly, reaching not only large conglomerates but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Second, we will ensure that AI takes deep root not only in high-tech industries but also across traditional sectors, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and tourism.

Third, the technology of AI is, ultimately, a tool designed to enrich our lives.

We will restore the balance between industry and humanity so that not a single resident is left behind or marginalized.
I can confidently say that these challenges and values of the 9th popularly elected administration will establish Chungnam as the safest and most prosperous AI capital in the Republic of Korea.

Honorable residents of Chungnam!

No matter how excellent the vision or goals of the provincial administration may be, they can never be achieved without your participation and trust.
The beginning and end of provincial administration always lie 'on the ground,' and the answers lie in the 'voices of the residents.'
We will completely overhaul the system to ensure that voices from the ground are reflected as the top priorities of our actual provincial administration.
We will demonstrate compassionate, communicative governance by personally visiting and engaging in dialogue wherever there is conflict, and by listening to the quiet voices of our marginalized neighbors.
The new challenges and changes of the 9th Chungnam provincial administration will not be driven unilaterally by the governor, but will be created together with you, the residents.

Capturing this resolve, today I proclaim the vision of the 9th provincial administration: ‘A Connected Chungnam, Together with the Residents!’
Under this bold vision, we will forcefully pursue seven administrative goals that will allow Chungnam to lead national growth.

First, we will create 'A Chungnam Together with its Residents.'

I will keep the doors of the Governor's Office wide open so that you can comfortably visit and converse with me at any time.
We will install CCTV in my office and meticulously record even the smallest meetings and reports, transparently revealing every process of the provincial administration.
Along with this, we will launch a movement to cultivate the Chungcheong spirit, grounded in loyalty, filial piety, and courtesy.
To put this into practice, we will initiate a campaign to display the national flag, and we will carefully overhaul our protocol manuals to foster a culture where our elders and those who have dedicated themselves to the nation receive the respect they deserve.
Furthermore, to ensure that the proud spirit of Chungcheong is passed down intact to our youth, we will promote a 'Diaries of Love' writing campaign in collaboration with the Office of Education.

Second, we will realize 'Chungnam, the AI Capital of the Republic of Korea.'

To support the massive 392 trillion won high-tech investment slated for the Chungcheong region, we will immediately launch an unrivaled AI and semiconductor ecosystem centered around the 'Chungcheong Mega-City Alliance.'
By uniting the Chungcheong region's world-class R&D capabilities and formidable high-tech manufacturing infrastructure, we will spearhead a mega-regional K-Semiconductor alliance that drives the southwestern region.
Based on Chungnam's three powerful assets of electric power, water resources, and human resources, along with our infinite potential, I will confidently ensure that the fruits of high-tech industries directly translate into robust livelihoods and tangible benefits for our 2.2 million residents.

Third, we will secure Chungnam's future livelihood through a 'Dynamic, Innovative Economy.'

We will solidify the foundation for future industries such as mobility, displays, and national defense, and complete an innovative ecosystem for SMEs and startups.
By providing substantial support to small business owners, the self-employed, and workers, we will ensure the capillaries of our local economy pulse with vitality.

Fourth, we will guarantee a 'Warm Life, Together.'

We will increase night and weekend childcare facilities, expand job opportunities for the elderly and people with disabilities, and dedicate efforts to support foreign residents who are already members of our society.
We will establish the National Institute of Dentistry and construct an emergency medical system for high-risk mothers and newborns to safeguard the lives and health of our residents.

Fifth, we will create a 'Safe and Pleasant Home.'

By constructing the Central Region East-West Transverse Railway, the Chungcheong East-West Expressway, and Seosan Airport, we will create a Chungnam where all routes across the sky, land, and sea are fully connected.
Furthermore, to ensure that our 15 cities and counties bloom in their own unique colors within a diverse garden, we will strive to attract private companies, public institutions, and national projects tailored to the specific characteristics of each region.

Sixth, we will open up a sustainable future through 'Clean, Smart Farming and Fishing Villages.'

We will now fundamentally change the very philosophy of our agricultural administration.
We will shift the paradigm from the existing production- and project-centric agricultural administration to a people- and region-centric one. By boldly integrating overlapping policies and finances, we will realize a true autonomous agricultural administration befitting a provincial government.
Additionally, we will restore happiness vouchers for female farmers and fishers and expand basic income for farming and fishing villages, elevating the income of our agricultural and maritime workers to the highest level in the nation.
Regions facing the closure of coal-fired power plants will be nurtured as hubs for the renewable energy industry, and we will provide fair compensation and opportunities for job security to workers undergoing industrial transition.

Lastly, we will cultivate 'A Prosperous Chungnam Where People Want to Stay.'

We will fully realize a 'Chungnam-style Nighttime Economy' where the signature cultural assets found throughout our 15 cities and counties—such as the Baekje heritage of Gongju and Buyeo, Chilgap Lake in Cheongyang, the Confucian culture of Nonsan, and Yedang Lake and Deoksan Hot Springs in Yesan—translate directly into economic growth. Furthermore, by expanding various cultural and sports facilities, including the K-Culture Convergence Arena, we will build a distinguished Chungnam that enriches the daily lives of our residents.

Honorable and beloved 2.2 million residents of Chungnam!

I will never forget the sighs of small business owners, the pleas of young parents, and the worries of our elders that I encountered during the election campaign.
My four-year term, which begins today, will be a time of turning your worries into hope, and our promises into action.
Four years from now, I will work with all my might so that I may receive your proud recognition as the 'Governor who threw open the doors to the Era of the Great AI Transformation,' leading a 'provincial administration that tangibly transformed the lives of its residents.'

My fellow public officials!

A lake can reflect a great mountain not because it is wide and deep, but because it is clear.
Only when we maintain a clear and uncorrupted mind like a lake can we fully reflect the stern commands of our residents, who stand as tall as that high mountain.
There is an anecdote about Song Jing, a chancellor of the Tang Dynasty in China, who administered such benevolent governance wherever he was posted that he was called 'Yugagyangchun (有脚陽春)'.
Just like this phrase, which means 'spring sunlight with legs,' I ask you to become a reliable presence that looks into every corner of our residents' lives and fills them with the warmth of the spring sun.

Fellow public officials, let us together become a clear lake. And let us become the footsteps that deliver warm spring sunlight into the lives of our residents.
With every step you take, I, as your Governor, will be your strongest pillar of support.
Honorable members of the Provincial Assembly, and members of the press!
I respect the Provincial Assembly and the press as steadfast companions in our provincial administration, and I will continuously communicate with you.
I will also work closely with our 15 mayors and county governors in a spirit of collaborative governance, transcending political party affiliations.
Walking alone creates a path, but walking together makes history.
The 9th popularly elected Chungnam administration will be a participatory administration led in unity by you, the residents, along with public officials, the assembly, the press, and our 15 cities and counties.

Together with you, the residents, I will create a new Chungnam where potential blooms and opportunities overflow—an era of a new and bold Chungnam.
Let us move forward into a hopeful future together, with confidence and dignity!

Thank you.

Park Soo-hyun40th Governor of Chungcheongnam-do